Lambe could be TFC's solution on the wing

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KURTIS LARSON, QMI Agency

Dec 20, 2011

, Last Updated: 11:27 PM ET

TORONTO - Reggie Lambe is a player TFC’s Paul Mariner has been following for years.

With a number of English clubs said to be in pursuit after the Bermudian failed to stick at Championship side Ipswich Town, Toronto’s director of player development jumped at the opportunity to bring the 20-year-old attacker to North America, signing him earlier this month.

“We got him in and let him have a look at (the city),” Mariner said, in an interview with the Sun last week. “We had a look at him at one (October) session and it was enough for us.”

Billed as a dangerous winger with loads of pace and ability, with the re-signing of standout rookie Joao Plata said to be imminent, there’s hope that the duo can form one of the most dangerous outside attacking tandems in MLS.

Needing to improve and provide stability at a spot head coach Aron Winter rotated players through endlessly in 2011, the club believes Lambe’s addition will have an immediate impact when Toronto opens next season with a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal date against the MLS champion LA Galaxy on March 7.

“Fans can expect me to work hard,” Lambe said, in a phone interview from England on Monday. “I just like to play football. Scoring goals is something I’ll look to do and create chances. Fans can be looking forward to a big season next year.”

Reminded of the clubs disappointing league form in 2011, Lambe referenced the signing of multiple key players during the second half of last year that should have supporters more optimistic then ever heading into the club’s sixth season — still without a playoff berth.

“I’ve seen (TFC) play live three times and I’ve watched them play on (television) a few times in the Champions League,” he said. “(We) like to put passes together … and it’s a good thing that (we) have Danny Koevermans up front to hold the ball up.”

It’s for that reason both Mariner and the Bermudian international believe MLS will be a better fit than the sort of kick-and-run brand of soccer the Championship represents.

The pair believes North America’s top flight will offer up more chances for Lambe to get the ball at his feet and take opposing defenders off the dribble — in much the same way Plata endeared himself to supporters last season.

“He is very, very quick,” Mariner said. “He’ll get the ball out wide and take people one-on-one. He can burn from the right or from the left and it gives us options. The way that we play will suit his game much better.”

FAMILIAR FRIENDS

While most foreign acquisitions have limited knowledge of MLS prior to signing, Lambe’s 13 appearances for his country have provided him an opportunity to learn about the league he’ll soon be joining.

After most recently competing in the second round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying with Bermuda, he said his relationship to Bermudian captain and one-time New England Revolution winger Khano Smith has helped him learn what to expect come the end of January.

In terms of his new hometown, his relationship to Canadian international Jaime Peters during his time at Ipswich has helped him come to understand what to expect over the duration of what he told the Sun was a four-year deal in Toronto.

“(Jaime) said it’s a nice city,” Lambe said. “I should be able to have fun outside of football as well. I look forward to being around and seeing a few sites. I look forward to moving to Canada.”

Not lacking confidence, he’s certain he can step in and make a difference when the club opens camp at the end of next month. He’s offering up advice on what TFC needs to do to improve upon its nightmarish six league wins last season.

“When we go ahead and we’re leading 1-0, I think we tend to go a bit defensive,” Lambe said. “But that’s where more attacking players come in, like myself, so we can stay attacking.

“Expect big things. I’m quite a friendly guy and I like to get to know the fans. As far as football goes, I’ll look to (improve) Toronto and do my best when I get there.”

NEEDED DEPTH

Lambe’s addition adds much-needed support to an attack that has very little quality after the first 11.

As we saw when guys like Plata and Koevermans were held out with injuries last season, the Reds had very little to fall back on when they needed supporting players the most.

“If we’re going to be playing 50-plus games, with all the travel, then you definitely need a squad that’s deep,” Mariner said. “We need strength at these positions and we need people to fight for their positions. Nobody's going to be safe."

With Mariner promising as many as six new additions to Toronto’s pre-season player list, the Reds seem to be taking steps to strengthen their roster in order to compete in as many as four different competitions next season, including the MLS Cup playoffs.